Rally fever is set to once again grip the Nelson Mandela Bay Region when the Algoa National Rally takes place on the 25th & 26th July. The event that comprises of rounds three and four of the National Rally Championships has partnered with the Tour European Rally (TER) which is an innovative concept of an international rally series approved by the FIA, offering a perfect blend of sporting events and tourism in unique locations, enabling tailored promotion.
Picture credit: Dean Mac
The rounds combine exceptional characteristics and distinctive features, all enhanced by dedicated global promotion through TV, social networks, web platforms, newspapers, magazines, and other media. Luca Grilli TER promoter and organiser had the following to say: “We are very proud of the partnership reached with the Algoa National Rally as a TER Candidate Event. This is the first step in a collaboration that shares many common goals between the Algoa National Rally organisation and us. From today, it also joins the new category of Candidate Events that may become part of the series in the future. This partnership starts in the best possible way and adds South Africa to the list of non-European nations that have been part of our championships and promotional events. After Europe, America, Oceania and Asia (as a TER Promo Event in Japan 2022), Africa is now welcomed into the TER family. Africa has been in our plans for a couple of years, and we are excited to begin this new adventure, which marks a significant step in the expansion of the TER Project.“
This is very good for South African Rallying to bring back international competition to our shores. Our local drivers are hungry for the competition and are welcoming the challenge.” said Rikus Fourie, Route Director for this event. “The TER series and the South African National Rally Championship will work perfectly in harmony with friendly competition on some of the best roads in SA. In addition, visiting teams can also soak in the local flavours and a Safari tour to explore the beauty on offer in the surroundings of our wonderful region.
This year’s event format will bring the best value for spectators and bring out the best of man and machine. The sprint-like stages will mean the crews will have to be at the sharp end from the moment the lights go green. We have a big focus on spectator friendly stages and we have found a good balance with the roads on offer in close proximity to the motoring town of Kariega the home of Volkswagen SA.
One of the exciting international drivers that will be in participating is 16 year old Zambian driver Seth Gomes (pictured) with his mother Urshlla who is a past Zambian and African Navigator Champion in the navigator seat. Nicknamed the “Zambian Assassin” he will no doubt be pushing his Mitsubishi Evo to the absolute limit. Other international teams in the mix are the Namibian team of Peer Rohm and Pieter Steyn in a classic Ford Escort Mk2, Jairaj Jutley from Kenya will be driving a VW Polo with local navigator Ottie Marais and former Kenya Rally Championship winner Lee Rose will join forces with local lass Ingrid Jeacocks in Algoa Rally Club Chairman Oliver de Man’s Toyota Corolla. De Man who has been instrumental in putting the event together has graciously loaned the car to Rose as he focuses on the organizational side of things. Swaziland driver Jono van Wyk will be hoping to continue his great start to the national campaign after he and Nico Swartz won the first round of the National Rally Championship in Mazda 2 a couple of weeks ago.
With forty four confirmed entries and more to possibly follow, it promises to be an epic event and another exciting chapter that dates back to the first Algoa National Rally that was run in 1983 and won by Sarel vd Merwe and Franz Boshoff in their all-conquering Audi Quatrro S1. The Rally will have its traditional ceremonial start at the VW Auto Pavilion on Friday 25th where the rally cars will gather from 08h30 and Start at 10h00. The first stage will be at Johnny’s Pit Stop (Spiders Web) with a start time of 10h10. The organisers have arranged for food trucks at the Spectator zone here. The second Spectator zone will be at Jachtvlakte at 14h00 and to close off Friday’s action, a spectator friendly night stage at 17h15 on tar on the Daniel Pienaar road where it crosses the R75 will be closed for racing action. Residents are reminded that there will be road closures in this area for the duration of the rally stage. The bridge on top of the R75 will be closed from 14h00 on Friday the 25th (Exit 28 R334 Coega / Uitenhage).
Saturday will see the action move to the Longmore Forest with a very early start where the rally cars will tackle the first stage at 08h00 and spectators are encouraged to be there as early as possible as the access road to the Spectator Zone crosses a section of the track. The spectators will be spoiled with choice as there will be a large hospitality tent in the Service Park in Longmore with a big screen showing a live feed of the event, should you opt to remain in the Service Park. At the Spectator Zone, you will be able to see all 4 stages being run from the same location and there will also be catering at this zone. Please note that the Friday stages are free to view, and that access into Longmore Forest will be charged at R50 per car with card facilities available at the gate leading into the forest.
For more information go to www.algoarallyclub.co.za
